Numerous challenges and issues in public and environmental health faced by healthcare professionals are, in fact, global health challenges that require understanding and action at the global level. In the field of higher education, global impact can be achieved through the internationalization of study programmes, which includes activities such as international student recruitment and enrolment, student mobility and exchange, international cooperation in teaching and research, institutional partnerships, and the integration of international perspectives into curricula.

Within the framework of the project, three measures will be implemented:
(1) establishment of a working group for the preparation of a Master’s study programme in Public Health,
(2) promotion of the study programme, and
(3) implementation of the Master’s study programme in Public Health.

The internationalization of study programmes also contributes to achieving the strategic goals of the University of Maribor for the period 2021–2030 in addressing societal challenges at both the local and global levels, as well as to the strategic objective related to global challenges of sustainable and socially responsible infrastructure development. Through the internationalization of the Master’s study programme in Public Health, positive global changes in the fields of environmental and public health can be achieved. This brings potential benefits that reflect back on the university, including improved student employability, access to funding, programme recognition, research cooperation, and enhanced global visibility of the university and faculty.